Our Community Partners
2-1-1
2-1-1 allows the public quick and easy access to this community information and referral service. The Center for Information and Crisis Services, Inc., operates this service, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. United Way of Palm Beach County took a leadership role in implementing “2-1-1”, including funding support and facilitating several local and regional meetings regarding the implementation of “2-1-1.” Every agency that receives funding from United Way of Palm Beach County is listed with 2-1-1.
2-1-1 allows the public quick and easy access to community information and referral service. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Click here to access 211.
Child Care Investment Partnership/Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County
United Way of Palm Beach County and Children’s Services Council (CSC) formed a unique partnership in 1996. Through United Way donations, more low-income, qualified families are able to receive quality child care in Palm Beach County.
Client Management Information System (CMIS)
CMIS is a web-based computer system that provides more efficient assistance to homeless individuals and families, and those needing other types of emergency assistance. The system allows local agencies to share daily updated client information immediately. It also allows for a single point of entry, eliminating the need for a client in need of services to go through an extensive interview process each time. CMIS was launched in July 2002, following a planning effort led by United Way and with financial support from State of Florida Department of Children and Families Office on Homelessness, and Quantum Foundation. CMIS replaces the IBM Client Services Network.
The Community Alliance of Palm Beach County
Community Alliance is a partnership of key community members working to strengthen the foster care system and minimize the need for foster care. Community Alliance works to reduce the number of children entering foster care, to keep those children in the foster care system safe, and to reunify those children with their families or with permanent adoptive homes.
Continous Improvement Initiative
This is an initiative funded by The Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County (CSC) and United Way of Palm Beach County, Inc. (UWPBC). The purpose of the initiative is to build capacity in the agencies that already receive funding from CSC and UWPBC.
Responding to the diverse needs of our families and children in Palm Beach County is an ongoing challenge that our funded programs are committed to. CSC and UWPBC are equally committed to investing in our funded agencies so that they have the necessary infrastructure to operate in an efficient and effective manner. This initiative was created in response to concerns providers had raised regarding recruiting difficulties of mission critical staff, need for additional information technology resources, and assistance in obtaining agency certification. Please see the Funding Forms section of this Web site for more information and an application.
Countess de Hoernle Emergency Relief Fund
Countess Henrietta de Hoernle established this program to assist United Way of Palm Beach County in its continuing efforts to provide and enhance services and support to the residents of Palm Beach County and neighboring counties affected by emergencies, terrorist attacks and war. The fund supports services offered to military families and dependents and those in the community who may lose their job or need other financial assistance as a direct result of war or terrorist attacks. It also supports local agencies experiencing an increased demand for human services because of the current economic conditions or world issues concerning war. The fund helps American Red Cross Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter provide free training in first aid, CPR and emergency preparedness.
Disaster Response
As the lead agency for “Emergency Support Function -- 15 Volunteers and Donations” in Palm Beach County’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, United Way of Palm Beach County is responsible for coordinating volunteers and donations during and in the aftermath of a disaster such as a hurricane.
Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP)
United Way of Palm Beach County provides administrative support and manages the local volunteer board for the federal government Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP). These funds must be used to serve individuals and families experiencing a crisis that may need one-time-only assistance for food, shelter, and/or rent, mortgage & utilities assistance. In Palm Beach County, United Way of Palm Beach County has been designated as the administrator of the funds, and does not have voting power in the allocation process.
In 2009, Palm Beach County was awarded $908,781 in funds as part of EFSP Phase 27, and were allocated to 15 agencies. In addition, the EFSP National Board made an additional $100 million available in supplemental funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The funds were designed to bring immediate relief to more than 2,500 communities across the country to address unemployment, poverty and other needs in light of the economic climate faced by our country. From those funds, an additional $449,459 was designated to Palm Beach County to be allocated by the local EFSP board. Those funds were allocated to 17 agencies.
The Gigantic Garage Sale
This creative fund-raiser benefits more than 30 Palm Beach County nonprofit organizations. Nonprofit agencies sell “attic treasures” and other items and keep 100 percent of the profits they make. The South Florida Fair and United Way of Palm Beach County partner to produce this event.
Human Services Coalition
The Human Services Coalition works to inform and coordinate health and human services organizations and advocates on issues of community concern for the benefit of Palm Beach County. Their work is done through forums and advocacy.
Palm Beach County/Treasure Coast AFL-CIO Community Partnership
This partnership is working to further strengthen the relationship between United Way of Palm Beach County and local unions. The focus is on educating union members about United Way member agencies and the services they provide, involving union members in the community through volunteering, and encouraging participation and support of United Way’s fund-raising campaign.
Resource Development Initiative
This partnership between United Way of Palm Beach County, Children’s Services Council, and Health Care District of Palm Beach County works to bring additional resources to Palm Beach County’s health and human services. This effort includes grant writing, which has brought more than $11 million in new state, federal and foundation funding to our community.
Special Needs Equipment Fund
United Way of Palm Beach County manages the Special Needs Equipment Fund for Palm Beach County. This fund provides families of children with special needs, between the ages of 3 and 18, with essentially needed equipment, not available from any other source. Please see the Funding Forms section of this Web site for more information and an application.